Departures in April
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Ships which operate this route: | Nantucket Clipper |
| Day 1 | Jacksonville, Florida Embark the Nantucket Clipper in Jacksonville, a strategic port during the Civil War with a sparkling modern skyline. Guests may board any time after 4:00 p.m. Dinner is served on board. (Dinner) |
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| Day 2 | Fernandina Beach, Florida Fernandina Beach is a quaint village that dates from the mid-1500s; it has been ruled by eight sovereigns, serving many flags over the course of its fascinating history. You may join an optional, all-day excursion to Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. Observe the crumbling remnants of Dungeness, the home built by Thomas Carnegie in 1884. View the varied plants and wildlife that make their home on the island, which could include wild horses, raccoons, armadillos, and many different sea creatures. |
| Day 3 | Brunswick (for Jekyll Island), Georgia Today you may join an optional excursion exploring Jekyll Island, one of Georgia’s Golden Isles. Jekyll Island was the winter home of America’s rich and famous for 56 years. Vanderbilts and Rockefellers, Morgans and Astors, Macys, Pulitzers, and Goodyears all closed their Fifth Avenue mansions and retreated to the warmth and serenity of this island. View these spectacular millionaire “cottages” - ornate mansions that have been exquisitely preserved - providing an intriguing view into the era of The Great Gatsby. Your tour concludes with a refreshment at the Jekyll Island Club. |
| Day 4 | Cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Cruise through the isolated Low Country today along the winding Intracoastal. Lined with marsh grasses, wide and oceanlike one minute, a narrow channel with plantation homes just visible through moss-draped oaks the next, the Waterway supports a spectacular array of wildlife. Many species of waterfowl and wading birds inhabit this inland passage, while songbirds nest in trees along the shore. Porpoises sport in the wake of passing boats, and shrimp, oysters, and crab thrive, along with fish like striped bass and mullet. On shore, deer, raccoon, opossums, bears, bobcat, and fox roam the thickets of the barrier islands and cypress swamps. You’ll have ample opportunity to view the Intracoastal’s wildlife from the decks of the Nantucket Clipper. Arrive in Savannah early this evening, and join an optional tour of the city “by night,” featuring some history, ghost tales, and a glimpse into the fun of living in Savannah. |
| Day 5 | Savannah You’ll have all day to explore this historic city and its Old South charm, where cobblestone streets are lined with classic wrought-iron fences and 150-year-old, moss-draped oaks pre- dating the Civil War. Known as the “Forest City,” Savannah’s numerous parks and green squares bear elegant testimony to the foresight of its founder, General James Oglethorpe, who settled here with a small group of followers in 1733. A symbol of urban elegance prior to the Civil War, the city was the center of the King Cotton empire that stretched across the Old South. River Street contains an interesting array of converted cotton warehouses that now house shops, restaurants, and boutiques. We’ll tie up within easy walking distance of this historic district. You’ll have a choice of two optional tours. You may explore one of our nation’s largest National Historic Landmark districts, revealing more than 270 years of history, eloquently displayed in exquisite ironwork, ancient cobblestones, splendid mansions, and picturesque cottages. You’ll also visit a fine house museum. Alternately, you may join a walking tour that features visits to an 1853 townhouse and a private home, where you’ll enjoy refreshments and meet the owners. |
| Day 6 | Beaufort, South Carolina / Cruising the Intracoastal Waterway The second-oldest town in South Carolina, Beaufort (pronounced BYOO-fert) looks to the sea from Port Royal Island, one of 64 barrier islands that make up Beaufort County. Similar to other settlements along the southeast coast, Beaufort was claimed by the Spanish, English, Scots, and Native Americans at one time or another. Stirred by soft ocean breezes, this town preserves the atmosphere of antebellum days in its gracious architecture, moss-draped oaks, exquisite gardens, and quaint charm. Today, you may choose to join an optional carriage ride through the city’s historic district or a visit to Hunting Island State Park. Explore the park’s historic lighthouse, and stroll along the boardwalk to discover the riches of the salt marsh. You may encounter dolphins, deer, wading birds, and other wildlife This afternoon, sail the Intracoastal past sea islands, small harbors, and coves. You’ll view wildlife that few visitors see along the scenic banks. Osprey, egret, and ibis feed in the swampy marshes and sawgrass flats, while alligators and turtles may be seen sunning on the muddy banks. |
| Day 7 | Charleston, South Carolina The lovely city of Charleston contains a wealth of 18th- and 19th-century mansions, but it is probably best known in American history as the site where the Civil War began at Fort Sumter. The city today is the handsome survivor of siege, flood, hurricane, and epidemic. During Colonial times, Charleston was one of the four largest cities on the Eastern Seaboard. Prosperous plantation owners amassed their wealth farming vast areas of cotton, rice, and indigo. Charleston society blossomed with festive events, theater, and elaborate musicales. It was the epitome of European luxury in the New World. Our nation’s first historic district has survived intact because of the diligence of local preservationists. You will be transported back in time as you stroll along lovely lanes filled with antebellum mansions and historic churches. Optional excursions include a visit to the botanical treasures of Middleton Place Plantation or a guided stroll through Charleston’s historic streets that allows you to retrace the steps of George Washington’s 1791 visit. Another optional tour features a stop at the Joseph Manigault House - built around 1803 and one of the finest Adamesque mansions in the country - and a drive through The Citadel, the military college of South Carolina. |
| Day 8 | Charleston (Disembark) Disembark the Nantucket Clipper after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your return flight home. |
| Departure Dates | Prices From |
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